Validation of a structured intensive laparoscopic course for basic and advanced gynecologic skills training.

Objective: To describe and validate a gynecologic laparoscopic-surgery training model.

Methods: The present prospective observational study was conducted at the Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre Jesús Usón, Cáceres, Spain, between January 2011 and June 2013. Novice gynecologists attended a 3-day course including simulation and animal training.

Validation of a model of intensive training in digestive laparoscopic surgery.

Introduction: Our objective was to assess a laparoscopic training model for general surgery residents.

Methods: Twelve general surgery residents carried out a training program, consisting of a theoretical session (one hour) and a hands-on session on simulator (7 h) and on animal model (13 h). For the first and last repetitions of simulator tasks and the Nissen fundoplication technique, time and scores from the global rating scale objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) were registered.

Development of a closed chest model of chronic myocardial infarction in Swine: magnetic resonance imaging and pathological evaluation.

Our aim was to develop an easy-to-induce, reproducible, and low mortality clinically relevant closed-chest model of chronic myocardial infarction in swine using intracoronary ethanol and characterize its evolution using MRI and pathology. We injected 3-4 mL of 100% ethanol into the mid-LAD of anesthetized swine. Heart function and infarct size were assessed serially using MRI.

Evaluation in an animal model of a hybrid covered metallic ureteral stent: a new design.

Objective: To evaluate a new design for a hybrid, dynamic, metallic ureteral stent that might avoid the formation of urothelial hyperplasia after ureteral metallic stenting in an experimental study.

Materials And Methods: A total of 30 healthy female pigs were included in the present study, and an experimental obstructive uropathy in the right lumbar ureter was created in each pig. Obstruction was confirmed using percutaneous ultrasonography and retrograde ureteral pyelography and endoluminal ultrasonography 6 weeks after obstructive uropathy model creation.

Chronic intrapericardial catheterization for repeated drug delivery: technical feasibility study in the Göttingen minipig.

Background: A minimally invasive pericardial access and chronic catheterization may enhance the therapeutic effects of intrapericardial drug delivery. We aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility of percutaneous intrapericardial implantation of a drug port system for chronic local drug delivery.

Methods And Results: Under fluoroscopic guidance, a percutaneous subxiphoid access to the pericardial space was obtained with fine needle and micropuncture set in 6 Göttingen minipigs.

Biological response of laser macrostructured and oxidized titanium alloy: an in vitro and in vivo study.

Purpose: To assess both the in vitro and in vivo biological response of a laser modified surface in an integrated manner. A combined innovative approach applies lasers to macrostructure as well as to oxidize the surface of titanium alloy implants.

Materials And Methods: A Nd:YAG marking and ArF excimer lasers were used for macrostructuring and UV-oxidizing the surface of Ti6Al4V discs, respectively.

Evaluation of wedged arterial injection as a new technique for delivery of experimental therapeutic substances into the porcine pancreas.

Objectives: To prospectively evaluate the technical feasibility and efficacy of wedged arterial injection (WAI) as a potential route for experimental selective therapy to the pancreas of healthy pigs.

Materials And Methods: Selective angiographies were completed in ten pigs under general anaesthesia. By superselective angiography, the catheter was inserted and wedged into the major pancreatic artery, blocking the blood flow.

Transarterial prostatic embolization: initial experience in a canine model.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate pathologic responses to transarterial prostatic embolization and its technical safety in a canine model.

Materials And Methods: Ten adult male beagle dogs were surgically castrated and given hormonal therapy for 4 months to induce prostatic hyperplasia. After three months of hormonal therapy, the dogs were randomly assigned to a transarterial prostatic embolization group (n = 7) or a control group (n = 3).

Video-based assistance system for training in minimally invasive surgery.

In this paper, the development of an assisting system for laparoscopic surgical training is presented. With this system, we expect to facilitate the training process at the first stages of training in laparoscopic surgery and to contribute to an objective evaluation of surgical skills. To achieve this, we propose the insertion of multimedia contents and outlines of work adapted to the level of experience of trainees and the detection of the movements of the laparoscopic instrument into the monitored image.

Ureteral double-J wire stent effectiveness after endopyelotomy: an animal model study.

Objectives: The aim of this experimental study was to assess the possibility of decreasing the size of the ureteral stents used after an endopyelotomy. To this end, an experimental study was performed which compared a ureteral double-J wire stent versus a standard 7F ureteral stent after endopyelotomy.

Methods: Twenty healthy female pigs were randomly divided into 2 groups: group I (double pigtail ureteral stent 7F) and group II (lumenless ureteral double-J wire stent, Zebrastent™, 0.

Effectiveness of three-dimensional fluoroscopy in percutaneous nephrostomy: an animal model study.

Objectives: To present, in an experimental study, an assessment of innovative digital fluoroscopy systems with three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction for use in endourologic applications.

Methods: The experiment was performed in a pig model. We used 5 pigs.

Preliminary results with a training program for thoracoscopic atrial fibrillation therapy.

Background: Novel devices have been designed for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) using minimally invasive approaches. This study aimed to determine the usefulness of a sheep model for training in cardiac surgical ablation using a minimally invasive approach in an experimental hands-on training course.

Methods: After initial training using a laparoscopic pelvic trainer, 15 sheep were subjected to surgery by six thoracic surgeons attending a hands-on thoracoscopic course.

Technical feasibility of totally natural orifice cholecystectomy in a swine model.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of totally NOTES performing a cholecystectomy without laparoscopic assistance. A gastroscope was used through a transvaginal access in five acute female pigs. An incision of 2 cm was created in the vagina and pneumoperitoneum was obtained with a Veress needle.

Maxillary sinus-floor elevation: an animal model.

Objectives: To find an animal model for modified Caldwell-Luc procedure training. The animal model should have (1) a proper cortical thickness in the lateral wall; (2) a similar morphology and resistance of the Schneiderian membrane in humans; and, finally, (3) an oral approach.

Materials And Methods: Twelve fresh heads (four Merino sheep, four Murciano-Granadina goats and four Large-White pigs).

Endourologic techniques for ureteropelvic junction obstruction therapy. Comparative animal study.

Purpose: The aim of this work is to compare 3 endourologic techniques for treating a ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. To accomplish this, we performed a study in a porcine animal specimen, in which we compared laparoscopic pyeloplasty that emerges as the future gold standard technique, with 2 endopyelotomy techniques.

Material And Methods: Twenty-four healthy large white female pigs were randomly divided in 3 groups-group I (laparoscopic pyeloplasty), group II (endopyelotomy-Acucise, Applied Medical, Rancho Margarita, CA), and group III (endoballoon rupture endopyelotomy).

Reliability and validity of endoluminal sonography in a porcine model of ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and reliability of endoluminal ultrasonography in ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction and to describe the changes in sonographic appearance that take place during obstruction and after treatment.

Materials And Methods: Twelve large healthy white female pigs were randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (laparoscopic pyeloplasty) and group 2 (cutting balloon endopyelotomy). Percutaneous and endoluminal ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic studies were analyzed during the three phases of the study.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia: transcatheter arterial embolization as potential treatment--preliminary study in pigs.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of the prostate in healthy pigs.

Materials And Methods: The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee for animal research. Sixteen large white male pigs were randomly assigned to the embolization group (n = 8) or control group (n = 8).

Endotracheal stenting therapy in dogs with tracheal collapse.

Tracheal collapse in dogs is a common respiratory disorder, typically presenting with a history of chronic cough, increasing respiratory difficulties, and episodes of dyspnoea. Medical treatment is the therapy of choice and surgical repair is considered when patients do not respond well. Minimally invasive endotracheal stenting is a promising new therapy under investigation, but there remain significant challenges to overcome potential complications.

SINERGIA laparoscopic virtual reality simulator: didactic design and technical development.

VR laparoscopic simulators have demonstrated its validity in recent studies, and research should be directed towards a high training effectiveness and efficacy. In this direction, an insight into simulators' didactic design and technical development is provided, by describing the methodology followed in the building of the SINERGIA simulator. It departs from a clear analysis of training needs driven by a surgical training curriculum.

Continuous vagus nerve stimulation effects on the gut-brain axis in Swine.

Objectives.  This study was designed to assess vagus nerve stimulation effects on the food intake pattern in swine and determine the electrical stimulus direction. Material and Methods.

Evaluation of the duration of ureteral stenting following endopyelotomy: Animal study.

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate whether it is possible to reduce the duration of ureteral stenting following endopyelotomy, and thus reduce side-effects.

Methods: Seventeen pigs were used. They were distributed at random into three groups.

Study of laparoscopic forces perception for defining simulation fidelity.

One of the most controversial dilemmas in virtual reality laparoscopic simulators design is the incorporation of force feedback (FF). This issue is approached with an experimental design in which surgeons assess the resistance against pulling of four different tissues, which are characterized with the acquisition of interaction forces. Comparing subjective assessments with objective force parameters we aim to determine the fidelity boundary beyond which no more realism is necessary in simulation.

Subxiphoid access to normal pericardium with micropuncture set: technical feasibility study in pigs.

This study was performed with approval from the ethics committee for animal research of the local government. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the technical feasibility of a technique for subxiphoid access to the normal pericardial space with a micropuncture set in 10 large white pigs. With fluoroscopic guidance, a fine needle was inserted through a subxiphoid approach into the anterior mediastinal space to puncture the pericardium, and a micropuncture set was placed in the pericardial space successfully in all animals without complications.